The Ryder Cup is the biggest event in golf. That assertion is underscored by broadcast rights fees, TV ratings, merchandise sales, media interest, ticket sales and any metric of success that bean counters would care to cite.

It is also a flawed exhibition that is taken far too seriously. Biggest does not always equate to best.

That much has been underscored during the past few days, starting when the egomaniacal PGA of America rented the New York sound stage where Saturday Night Live is taped for the announcement of the team’s three wild-card picks.

The droning, self-important, hour-long announcement was dubbed “Tuesday Night Dead” by cynics. It began at midnight in the UK, which meant that none of the US picks made the morning newspapers in Europe.

Two days later, European captain Paul McGinley absurdly named three more assistant captains to his team, bringing the number of coaches to six. There are only 12 players on the team.

Then there is the timing of the wild-card picks. That both teams announced their selections three weeks before the Ryder is played is short-sighted. Why the rush to judgment?

Billy Horschel lost a chance to win in Boston on the last hole, then won six days later in Denver. Because the wild-card picks are made two weeks too early, presumably to stoke the fires of fan and media hype, Horschel was deprived of a spot on the US team.

The best event should include the best players – no argument.

sports@thenational.ae